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Married police officers arrested in fatal shooting

The Associated Press

Updated:
08/06/2014 07:58:44 PM EDT

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This booking photo provided by the -Tulsa County Sherriff's Office shows Shannon Kepler. Authorities say off-duty Tulsa police officers Kepler and his wife, Gina Kepler have been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a teenager. (AP Photo/Tulsa County Sherriff's Office)

TULSA, Okla. (AP) — Two Tulsa police officers who are married have been arrested in the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old man who was walking with their daughter, authorities said.

Jeremy Lake was found shot to death Tuesday night on a street near downtown, Tulsa police department spokeswoman Jillian Roberson said.

Shannon Kepler, 54, was arrested on a complaint of first-degree murder and Gina Kepler, 48, was arrested on a complaint of accessory to murder after the fact. Both were booked Tuesday night in the Tulsa County jail. It wasn't immediately clear whether they have attorneys.

The Keplers are City of Tulsa police officers, have 24 years on the force and were off duty at the time of the shooting, Roberson said.

Lake was walking with the Keplers' 18-year-old daughter, Lisa Kepler, when Shannon Kepler confronted him, Roberson said. An argument ensued and the father lashed out, shooting Lake, Roberson said. Lisa Kepler started to run, and was shot at, but the bullet missed, Roberson said.

Lisa Kepler said at a news conference Wednesday that her parents had kicked her out of their home a week ago, and she said was living with Lake at the time of the shooting.

"I don't know what could have led them to do this," she said. "They didn't even know Jeremy."

Police Chief Chuck Jordan said in a statement that "the circumstances around this incident drives home the fact that domestic violence is a societal problem and transcends all economic groups."

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"I as well as the whole department am saddened for both families involved in this tragic event," Jordan said. Roberson did not immediately return a message late Wednesday seeking clarification on what Jordan meant in reference to domestic violence.

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